Finishing of a three-dimensional typographic trail with colorZINQ (sherardising plus paint)

 

Project

For the client Kunstschmiede Althammer in Leipzig, 2,000 metres of shaped steel forming a typographic trail are to be given sustainably effective corrosion protection and a powder coating in a fine-structure matte finish – RAL 2004, which is pure orange. For this art project, which is to be installed in the underground station „Kirchplatz“ in Düsseldorf, the visual appearance and individual aesthetics are particularly crucial.

Realisation

Viewed as a single line, the entire three-dimensional script trail, measured in a straight line across the surface, spans approximately 550 metres, with each section having a length of 1.50 to 3 metres. When straightened out, around 2,000 metres of shaped steel are to be installed. First, the lettering is galvanised and precision-finished at the ZINQ location in Leipzig. This is followed by hanging on the load carriers of the automatic conveyor system and sweeping. Following mechanical preparation, the application of a combined system of epoxy powder primer and facade-grade polyester powder topcoat begins, so that the script trail now shines in a fine-structure matt – RAL 2004, i.e., pure orange, against the white tiles of the Düsseldorf station. Incidentally, this is a project that received the 2017 German Galvanising Award in the metal design category and, according to the jury, makes a „valuable contribution to the subject of art in architecture“.